🛏️ Norton Pressure Ulcer Risk Scale
UseWhen to use: ward admission skin-risk screening alongside Braden.
StrataMany protocols treat ≤14 as at-risk; ≤11 very high — maximize prevention.
LimitsWhen not to use: as sole skin assessment without inspection. · Pitfall: not rescoring after mobility decline. · Pair with Braden and local bundles.
SourceNorton D et al. pressure ulcer risk scale
This-shift next steps
After scoring: open the scene pack, peer scores, and the matching pathway. Local reference — no HIS write.
Paste the link in Slack, Teams, X, or LinkedIn — the preview image comes from this page’s Open Graph card.
Methodology · worked example, guidelines & full notes
5–20.
When to use
When to use: ward admission skin-risk screening alongside Braden.
How it works
Physical + mental + activity + mobility + incontinence (each 1–4).
Key points
- 5–20.
- Lower = higher risk.
- Next: offloading / nutrition / Braden.
References
- Norton D et al. pressure ulcer risk scale
Worked calculation
The values below come from this tool's own example placeholders and are computed server-side with the formula shown on this page, so the arithmetic can be checked quickly. It demonstrates how to substitute values only — it is not clinical advice and not a real case.
| Physical condition | Fair (3) |
|---|---|
| Mental condition | Apathetic (3) |
| Activity | Walks with help (3) |
| Mobility | Slightly limited (3) |
| Incontinence | Occasional (3) |
→Norton15/20
- Cue：15–18 medium risk — preventive skin care
| Physical condition | Good (4) |
|---|---|
| Mental condition | Alert (4) |
| Activity | Ambulant (4) |
| Mobility | Full (4) |
| Incontinence | None (4) |
→Norton20/20
- Cue：>18 low risk band
Verification & sources · governance
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
- Does Norton Pressure Ulcer Risk Scale upload patient data? Where is it calculated?
- Calculation runs locally in the browser; inputs and results are not uploaded. For licensed clinicians only; interpret with history, investigations and local protocols — not a diagnosis or prescription.
- How is Norton Pressure Ulcer Risk Scale calculated in practice? Can you show a worked example?
- Inputs: Physical condition Fair (3), Mental condition Apathetic (3), Activity Walks with help (3), Mobility Slightly limited (3), Incontinence Occasional (3) → Result: Norton 15 /20（Cue: 15–18 medium risk — preventive skin care） Inputs: Physical condition Good (4), Mental condition Alert (4), Activity Ambulant (4), Mobility Full (4), Incontinence None (4) → Result: Norton 20 /20（Cue: >18 low risk band）